The Salesians of Don Bosco [officially titled The Society of St. Francis de Sales], is an international organisation of Catholic priests and brothers dedicated to the service of the young, especially those disadvantaged and marginalised.
We work together with our lay collaborators in schools, youth centres, hostels, camps, parishes and other contexts to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ especially to the young. We accompany the young people on their life journey to enable them to grow and mature into “good Christians and honest citizens.”
Salesians around the World
The Congregation of the Salesians of Don Bosco was founded in the mid-1800's by St. John Bosco, an Italian priest and educator and today number over 14,600 Salesians of Don Bosco (Priests & Brothers) working in 132 Nations. The Salesian world is divided into 88 Provinces and has over 1900 Communities serving youth.
The Salesian Family is a worldwide movement of people committed to the service of the young. Today, this family consists of over 400,000 people comprising 31 different organisations aligned to the spirituality of Don Bosco. Currently, there are over 20 additional groups seeking membership to this family. The first four: The Salesians of Don Bosco, The Salesian Co-operators, the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians [FMA/Salesian Sisters] and The Salesian Past Pupils were founded by Don Bosco during his lifetime.
St. John Bosco – popularly known as Don Bosco was called Don - the Italian equivalent of ‘Father.’ The organisation he founded was called ‘Salesians’ because Don Bosco took as the patron of his organisation, St. Francis de Sales who was the bishop of Geneva in the 17thcentury and known for his gentleness and kindness.
The Educational System that the Salesians practice is the ‘Preventive System of Don Bosco’ which has three elements: 'Reason, Religion and Loving-kindness'. The map attests the presence of Salesians in the World today.
